With advances in biological and genomic sciences accelerating at an ever-increasing pace, what does the future hold? If biological progress is indeed advancing more rapidly than Moore’s Law, as many assert, what are the economic and societal implications?Drew Endy, Stanford University & The BioBricks Foundation
Interviewer: Alex Lash, Xconomy

Just as the Internet leveled the playing field for entrepreneurship, politics and social engagement, recent advances are leveling it for biological progress. Processing power, the cloud and Internet connectivity open doors for inquisitive individuals and nascent biotech startups. How are ordinary people involving themselves in biology, and what will be their impact?Ryan Bethencourt, Berkeley Biolabs & Indie.BioEri Gentry, Institute for the Future & BioCuriousDavid Haussler, UC Santa Cruz & HHMI
Moderator: David Kirkpatrick, Techonomy

Synthetic biology opens new doors on what life can be, and do. How will we utilize the awesome new tools at our disposal?Ellen Jorgensen, GenspaceRyan Phelan, Revive & Restore
Moderator: Andrew Hessel, Autodesk

Exploration, experimentation and innovation. All fabulous pursuits in their own rights, but what about real-world application? From food to fuel, what are people doing with all these new bio discoveries?Stewart Brand, Global Business Network & The Long Now FoundationJim Flatt, Synthetic Genomics, Inc.Steve Levine, Dassault SystèmesFloyd Romesberg, The Scripps Research Institute
Moderator: David Kirkpatrick, Techonomy